"He'd be the right one for Drake Maye" - Gronk foresees Josh McDaniels to emulate Tom Brady-like success with young Patriots QB

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski believes Josh McDaniels could replicate his success with Tom Brady by mentoring Drake Maye. His endorsement stems from witnessing McDaniels' quarterback development methods firsthand during New England's championship runs.

Gronkowski, a key figure in the Patriots' dynasty, caught passes from Brady while McDaniels orchestrated the offense. McDaniels spent 24 years with the organization, rising from an entry-level position in 2001 to becoming Bill Belichick's trusted offensive coordinator.

Speaking on the "Up & Adams" show on Wednesday, Gronkowski made a case for bringing McDaniels back under new Patriots coach Mike Vrabel's regime.

"Yes, I truly believe he would be the right one for Drake Maye," Gronkowski said. "I mean, he dealt with Tom Brady throughout his whole entire career. He helped out Tom Brady tremendously."

The timing proves significant as Vrabel shapes his coaching staff. During a WEE1 FM radio interview on Tuesday, he acknowledged his history with McDaniels but maintained that he is exploring multiple candidates. Their connection dates back to 2001 when Vrabel joined the Patriots as a linebacker.

Josh McDaniels knows how to develop players

NFL: New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Imagn

Rob Gronkowski emphasized Josh McDaniels' comprehensive grasp of offensive strategy and player development. His praise painted a picture of a coach who excels beyond just QB instruction.

"Josh McDaniels has a full grasp of the offense," Gronkowski said. "He knows how to demand respect as an offensive coordinator. He gets the players to listen to him. He draws up wonderful schemes to get his players open."

McDaniels' Patriots legacy includes orchestrating offenses that reached five Super Bowls between 2004 and 2018, winning four. His journey began as quarterbacks coach in 2004, working directly with Brady during a Super Bowl-winning season.

During Monday's episode of Julian Edelman's "Games with Names" podcast, McDaniels shared his philosophy on developing young QBs like Maye. He compared player development to filling a bucket with water — as players gain experience, their capacity for knowledge grows.

The potential reunion carries extra weight given McDaniels' deep New England roots. He first joined the Patriots when he was 24 years old, less than seven years after playing QB in the 100th McKinley-Massillon game. His most impressive achievement came in 2007 when he coordinated an offense that nearly completed a perfect season.

For the Patriots, McDaniels represents both proven success and fresh potential. After taking 2024 off from coaching following his Las Vegas Raiders tenure, he could return to the franchise where he helped Tom Brady develop into a legend.

His track record includes guiding the Patriots to offensive dominance. This is highlighted by the 2007 season when they went 18-0 before a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss.